What to Do With the Awful Kitchen Floor in an Apartment?

Area Rugs

• Area rugs allow you to break up the ugly existing floor in an inexpensive way. Area rugs in a variety of sizes are available at any store that carries home furnishings. Place several coordinating rugs around the kitchen to cover up as much of the flooring as possible. Arrange the rugs strategically if the flooring is damaged or stained in certain areas. For example, if the flooring has a burn mark near the stove, place a small area rug over the spot.

Floor Cloth

• A floor cloth is an alternative to area rugs. Floor cloths are typically made out of canvas and coated in polyurethane to make them more durable and less resistant to stains. The floor cloth is easy to clean with a broom. You can also wipe it down with a cloth. Painted floor cloths are available for purchase, or you can make your own custom design. Start with a piece of canvas large enough for the space. Wet it and allow it to dry so the canvas shrinks before painting. Paint two base coats of latex paint, followed by the painted design you want on the cloth. After the paint is dry, apply three layers of clear polyurethane. Give each polyurethane coating at least 12 hours to dry before applying the next. Wait another week to place the cloth in the kitchen.

Removable Tiles

• Peel-and-stick tiles offer a temporary floor covering option to hide the ugly flooring in your apartment. Vinyl tiles are relatively inexpensive and easy to clean. Buy extra tiles in case one becomes torn or damaged. This option may leave behind some residue and creates more work for you when you move out of the apartment. Check with your landlord first before you decide to install removable tiles.

Kitchen Design

• The overall design and decor you choose for your rental kitchen helps draw attention away from the floor. If you have a large enough kitchen, add a small island or kitchen cart to cover part of the floor. Place it over a tear or other damage if any exists. Plants on the floor can also take away from the ugly nature of the flooring. A decorative pot rack creates a high focal point to draw the eye away from the flooring. Add other decorative touches and splashes of color to distract the eye.